Hello Bob. You raise yet another very interesting subject which will probably ring true for many ostomates who have tried to explain for the first time what it's like to manage the output from the stoma rather than the anus.
For my part, when someone shows a genuine interest, I have never had any quarms about giving a graphic description of the process and the convenience of this method rather than the inconvenience of the incontinence which I had to put up with before.
I start with what I think is the amusing story of my encounter with an officious security guard in a local supermarket, who would not let me use the toilet for disabled people. The short version is that I shat all over the supermarket floor before he relented and ushered me into the toilet. I then describe the commotion that this incident caused with their customers and the manager telling the security fellow off for being so stubborn and 'jobs-worth'.
This story sets the scene for then explaining how much easier and convenient it is to collect feaces in a purpose-made bag at the front of my body, than it is to try to catch it from between my legs, where it is simply not possible to locate a bag.
I usually go on to say that I am fascinated how people manage to toilet themselves without the convenience of a bag - especially if they are out and about and there are long queues at the public loos. I feel really sorry for people who still have to rely on what is often an unreliable sphincter to keep feaces from flowing freely from their bodies in an uncontrolled manner.
Depending on who it is I'm discussing the subject with, I will often jokingly ask them to describe how they manage to shit out of their anus when there are no toilets available and to think how much nore convenient it is for me to carry my portable toilet around with me, just in case!
I have found that a sense of humour is very helpful when discussing things of this nature. ( I think they call it 'toilet humour') So, having a laugh about these sorts of questions is one way of answering them without getting too serious or disgusting. Most people who know me, will also know that I will respond to almost any question with a relatively straightforward, common-sense answer. Thus, they would not ask a question like this unless they want to know my thoughts on the subject matter. They would also know that I am not afraid to speak my mind and describe things in graphic detail. Sometimes I will simultaneously draw a picture or two to help explain what I describe in words, other times ( when appropriate) I will even offer to show them the real thing so that there can be no doubt about what I am describing. I do not find this sort of discussion embarrassing as it is an educational tool for the uninitiated and hopefully their new knowledge will help them understand the situation when they come to experience it - either for themselves or in others whom they know.
Interestingly, I have never had anyone take offence at my monologues and have had several comment to the effect that it would make a great stand-up comedy sketch.
Just a thought!
Best wishes
Bill
